I understand what you're saying, but I don't entirely agree about the caterer.

I started out in this business as a caterer, but I also, pretty early on, got some kick-a$$ restaurant experience. Imho, a caterer who got accepted for this show who wanted to do well could go work a couple of weeks, even in a restaurant kitchen to get the tempo -- which is SO important -- then they might have a chance.

Was it season 2 or 3 where Betty (a caterer) lasted to the top 4 ( I believe)?

I understand what you're saying, but I don't entirely agree about the caterer.

I started out in this business as a caterer, but I also, pretty early on, got some kick-a$$ restaurant experience. Imho, a caterer who got accepted for this show who wanted to do well could go work a couple of weeks, even in a restaurant kitchen to get the tempo -- which is SO important -- then they might have a chance.

Was it season 2 or 3 where Betty (a caterer) lasted to the top 4 ( I believe)?

In any case, I'm looking foward to tomorrow night's episode.

True. If a caterer has line experience that's different. There are many caterers who started out with restaurant experience and then branched off into catering.

Betty made it through to the final 6, but that was due more towards the caliber of contestants on season 2. Had she been on either season 3 or 4 she would've gone out within the first few episodes.

She was stupid to use an ingredient she was not familiar with -- Ostrich Egg. I'm sure it tastes different than chicken eggs.

And then, if you do insist on using something that odd, make use of its oddity. Don't mask it!

But I really think that Ariane needs to go. She's a CIA grad too

I'm guessing she will be next. It's really sad, too, because her cooking is stellar at her restaurant, Culinariane, in Montclair, NJ. Reservations are hard to come by. She just doesn't seem to have that competitive fight and confidence that's necessary to be successful on Top Chef.

Wow, overall they suck this year. Four hours of total prep time and some of those dishes were horrible. Even the presentations looks like 80's hotel food (like Hosea's crap, I mean crab salad). And the choices of dishes. A quiche???? Are you kidding me??? Four hours to prep? The chance to put out a signature dish and you make a quiche???

So Stephan wins by basically ripping of Ferran Adria's olive dish from el Bulli but he wins because his food tastes good, and he's smart by making something that he knows will taste good. I thought Leah's dish had the best presentation, but flavor wasn't in the top 3. Eugene does meat loaf. How exciting. Like I said, I'm not impressed. In past seasons, there was always that "Wow, it would be tough going head to head against so-and-so". Not this season. Two challenges where they could really showcase their skills. No vendor machine stuff. No cooking for kids or the elderly. Just show your skills right from the start. Too bad they don't really have any.

And if you look at most of the top contestants from past seasons, they would be standing out this year too. Harold, Tiffany, Lee Anne, Sam, Cliff, Marcel, Hung, Tre, Stephanie, Dale, Richard, Antonia. They were all impressive from the first couple of episodes.